CVE-2024-58063
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory leak and invalid memory access vulnerability in the Linux kernel's rtlwifi driver. When the driver's probe function fails during initialization, it doesn't properly clean up resources, potentially causing kernel memory corruption or denial of service. Systems using Realtek WiFi chips with affected Linux kernel versions are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel rtlwifi driver
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially allowing privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
System instability, memory exhaustion, or kernel crashes when WiFi hardware initialization fails.
If Mitigated
Minor performance impact or failed WiFi initialization without system-wide effects.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger WiFi driver initialization failure. Not directly remote exploitable.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing fixes from the referenced git commits
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/32acebca0a51f5e372536bfdc0d7d332ab749013
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Reboot system. 3. Verify kernel version with 'uname -r'.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable rtlwifi module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist rtlwifi' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-rtlwifi.conf
rmmod rtlwifi
Use alternative WiFi driver
linuxSwitch to alternative Realtek driver if available
modprobe -r rtlwifi
modprobe alternative_driver_name
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with Realtek WiFi hardware
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic or OOM events related to WiFi initialization
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if rtlwifi module is loaded: 'lsmod | grep rtlwifi'. Check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and test WiFi initialization failure scenarios.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Out of memory errors
- WiFi driver initialization failures in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- Unusual WiFi interface state changes
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "rtlwifi" AND "error")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/32acebca0a51f5e372536bfdc0d7d332ab749013
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/455e0f40b5352186a9095f2135d5c89255e7c39a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/624cea89a0865a2bc3e00182a6b0f954a94328b4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b76bab5c257463302c9e97f5d84d524457468eb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/85b67b4c4a0f8a6fb20cf4ef7684ff2b0cf559df
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b96371339fd9cac90f5ee4ac17ee5c4cbbdfa6f7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e7ceefbfd8d447abc8aca8ab993a942803522c06
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee0b0d7baa8a6d42c7988f6e50c8f164cdf3fa47
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00028.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00030.html
